Enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top

ABSTRACT

An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top is disclosed. The enclosure system comprises a saddle with a base and two vertical legs having rails sliding through rail guides attached to an enclosure, such that the saddle slidably receives the enclosure. The enclosure can be selectively placed in an open and closed position. The enclosure system is attached to the bottom portion of the table top by a mounting plate attached to the top portion of the saddle. A cut out from the table top is attached to the top of the enclosure, such that the enclosure in the closed position is nearly indistinguishable from the tabletop.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to an enclosure system for electronic equipment, such as interconnect equipment for audio/visual presentation systems, concealable in a table top. Many audio/visual presentation systems are installed is some sort of tabletop or countertop. The challenge that faces a system designer is how to provide an input plate in the table for computer video, video, audio, network, and AC power connections without making an obstruction that gets in the way when it isn't needed.

Enclosure systems housing such input plates and other equipment that can be concealed in the table top when not in use offer improved user-friendliness, aesthetic design and flexibility. To work properly and endure constant openings and closings, such enclosure systems must have solid and sturdy foundation to provide support for the mechanical components of the system. The prior art enclosures of this type are mounted to a top portion of a tabletop by way of a mounting plate that rests on the table top. The mounting plate can be made flush with the table top, however, it is more aesthetically pleasing not to have a mounting plate resting on the tabletop at all. It is also desirable to have the enclosure in the concealed position nearly indistinguishable from the tabletop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top of the present invention satisfies this need. It comprises a saddle with a base and two vertical legs having rails sliding through rail guides attached to an enclosure, such that the saddle slidably receives the enclosure that can be selectively placed in an open and closed position. The enclosure is secured in the closed position by latches attached to the bottom portions of the vertical legs that engage with catch means on the enclosure.

The enclosure system is attached to the bottom portion of the table top by a mounting plate attached to the top portion of the saddle. A cut out from the table top is attached to the top of the enclosure, such that the enclosure in the concealed position is nearly indistinguishable from the tabletop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a saddle of the enclosure system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an exploded view thereof.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of an enclosure of the enclosure system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an exploded view thereof.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the enclosure system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an exploded view thereof.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of the enclosure system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention installed in a table top in an open position.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the enclosure system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention installed in a table top in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention will be better understood with the reference to the drawing figures FIG. 1 through FIG. 5. The same numerals refer to the same elements in all drawing figures.

Viewing FIG. 1, left side of FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a saddle described below and right side of FIG. 1 shows a non-exploded view thereof.

Numeral 10 indicates a saddle. Saddle 10 comprises a substantially rectangular open base indicated by numeral 20. Numeral 30 indicates pair of vertical legs. Each vertical leg 30 extends down from an opposite side of open base 20 and terminates in a lower end indicated by numeral 30 a.

Numeral 40 indicates a pair of rails. Each of the rails 40 is disposed on an inner portion of vertical leg 30, substantially parallel to vertical leg 30. Numeral 50 indicates a bottom support member. Bottom support member 50 is disposed between lower ends 30 a and comprises a latching means indicated by numeral 60.

Latching means 60 are shown in FIG. 1 as a pair of latches, each comprising a latch housing indicated by numeral 60 a, a spring loaded latch arm indicated by numeral 60 b. Latch arm 60 b is pivotally encased in latch housing 60 a and a hook end portion indicated by numeral 60 c. Latch arm 60 b can be placed in an engaged position and in a disengaged position by way of applying a downward pushing force on latch arm 60 b. At least one latching means 60 is necessary for the operation of the enclosure system according to this invention.

Viewing now FIG. 2, left side of FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an enclosure described below and right side of FIG. 2 shows a non-exploded view thereof.

Numeral 70 indicates an enclosure. Enclosure 70 is suitable for housing electronic equipment. Enclosure 70 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed side walls indicated by numeral 80. Each side wall 80 comprises a rail guide indicated by numeral 90. Rail guide 90 is disposed on an outer portion of side wall 80.

Numeral 100 indicates a middle support member. Middle support member 100 is disposed between side walls 80 in a lower portion of enclosure 70. Middle support member 100 comprises a catch means for engaging with latching means 60, which are shown in FIG. 2 as a pair of C-shaped members indicated by numeral 110.

A bottom portion of middle support member 100 supplies a downward pushing force on latch arms 60 b, causing latch arms 60 b to retract into latch housings 60 a, such that C-shaped members 110 secure hook end portions 60 c in the engaged position.

Numeral 120 indicates a pass through opening. Pass through opening 120 is disposed substantially in the middle of middle support member 100.

Numeral 140 indicates a top support member. Top support member 140 is disposed between side walls 80 in an upper portion of enclosure 70.

Viewing now FIG. 3, left side of FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the enclosure system according to this invention and right side of FIG. 2 shows a non-exploded view thereof.

Numeral 150 indicates a spring. Spring 150 comprises a proximal end indicated by numeral 150 a and a distal end indicated by numeral 150 b. Proximal end 150 a is fixedly attached to top support member 140. Distal end 150 b is fixedly attached to bottom support member 50. Spring 150 biases enclosure 70 towards the open position with respect to saddle 20. Pass through opening 120 receives spring 150 therethrough. Spring 150 is shown in FIG. 3 as a gas spring.

Rail guides 90 slidably engage with rails 40 such that enclosure 80 can slide freely up and down with respect to saddle 10.

Numeral 160 indicates a mounting plate. Mounting plate 160 is fixedly attached to a top portion of open base 20. Numeral 170 indicates a top cover. Top cover 170 is fixedly attached to the upper portion of enclosure 70.

Viewing now FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, saddle 10 slidably receives enclosure 70 such that enclosure 70 can be placed in an open position and in a closed position.

Numeral 180 indicates a tabletop. Numeral 180 a indicates a top portion of tabletop 180 and numeral 180 b indicates a bottom portion of tabletop 180. Mounting plate 160 is fixedly attached to bottom portion 180 b.

Numeral 190 indicates a cut out from table top 180. Cut out 190 is fixedly attached to top cover 170. In the closed position, cut out 190 is flush with table top 180 and is nearly indistinguishable from tabletop 180.

Numeral 200 indicates electronic equipment installed in enclosure 70.

While the present invention has been described and defined by reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled and knowledgeable in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiment of the invention is exemplary only, and is not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects. 

1. An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top comprising: (1) a saddle comprising: a substantially rectangular open base; a pair of vertical legs, each vertical leg extending down from an opposite side of the open base and terminating in a lower end; a pair of rails, each of the rails disposed on an inner portion of the vertical leg, substantially parallel to the vertical leg; a bottom support member disposed between the lower ends comprising a latching means; (2) an enclosure suitable for housing electronic equipment comprising: a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, each side wall comprising a rail guide disposed on an outer portion of the side wall, the rail guides slidably engaging with the rails; a middle support member disposed between the side walls in a lower portion of the enclosure; the middle support member comprising a catch means for engaging with the latching means and a pass through opening; a top support member disposed between the side walls in an upper portion of the enclosure; wherein the saddle slidably receiving the enclosure such that the enclosure can be placed in an open position and in a closed position; (3) a spring comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the pass through opening receiving the spring; the proximal end fixedly attached to the top support member; the distal end fixedly attached to the bottom support member, said spring biasing the enclosure towards the open position, wherein the pass through opening receiving the spring; (4) a mounting plate fixedly attached to a top portion of the open base, the mounting plate for attaching to a bottom of the table top.
 2. An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top as in claim 1, wherein the spring is a gas spring.
 3. An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top as in claim 2, wherein the latching means comprises at least one latch comprising: a latch housing; a spring loaded latch arm pivotally encased in the latch housing, comprising a hook end portion, such that the latch arm can be placed in an engaged position and in a disengaged position by way of applying a downward pushing force on the latch arm; wherein the catch means comprises at least one C-shaped member securing the hook end portion in the engaged position, and wherein a bottom portion of the middle support member supplying said downward pushing force.
 4. An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top as in claim 3, further comprising a top cover fixedly attached to the upper portion of the enclosure.
 5. An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top as in claim 4, further comprising a cut out from the table top fixedly attached to the top cover. 